Key, Lupescu receive preseason honors
Outside hitter Claudia Lupescu (left) and libero Kiaraliz Perez prepare to receive an oncoming ball during a match against the Grand Canyon University Lopes in October 2023 in the UTRGV Fieldhouse on the Edinburg campus. THE RIDER FILE PHOTO
The UTRGV Volleyball Team was picked to finish second overall in the Southland Conference, according to a SCL preseason poll announced Thursday.
Volleyball senior captains Perris Key and Claudia Lupescu were also selected to the Preseason All-Conference second team.
UTRGV outside hitter Perris Key spikes the ball toward Grand Canyon University outside hitter McKenzie Wise (left) and middle blocker Alissa Uhlenhop during an October 2023 match in the UTRGV Fieldhouse on the Edinburg campus.
THE RIDER FILE PHOTO
UTRGV Volleyball head coach Todd Lowery described it as an “honor” for his team to be picked second in the program’s first season in the Southland.
“For the volleyball world, coming into a new conference, to know what we’re all about, it just shows a lot of respect for us and the hard work the girls have put into their craft the last couple of years,” Lowery said.
He also praised Key and Lupescu for being selected for the All-Conference second team.
“Awesome for them,” Lowery said. “To get two newcomers on that list is just a testament to them and [they] will be big contributors this year. There’s no doubt about that.”
UTRGV received three first-place votes and finished the poll with 212 points overall, finishing behind conference favorite Stephen F. Austin State University, which received 17 first-place votes and finished with 232 points.
The volleyball season is set to begin with the Furman Invitational on Aug. 30, when the Vaqueros take on the University of North Carolina at Charlotte at 9 a.m. in Greenville, South Carolina.
